Latest Posts

7 Effective Tax Optimization Strategies for High-Net-Worth Individuals

by Stacy Brasher on Jan 21, 2025

Tax Planning, Investments, Retirement, Estate Planning, Real Estate

What does it take to minimize your tax bill, not just this year but in the years to come?

The answer varies for each individual. Tax optimization strategies depend heavily on personal assets and financial goals, which are unique to everyone.

However, nearly all high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) share one common objective: reducing their tax obligations to the absolute minimum allowed by law. Achieving this often involves leveraging specific strategies and tools that can work together to optimize personal income, property, and estate taxes.

Planning for the Future: Essential Steps to Secure Your Retirement

by Stacy Brasher on Jan 3, 2025

Retirement, Savings

Is your retirement savings on track?

If you’re like most people, you may feel it’s not. In fact, concerns about running out of money in retirement are very common.1, 2

Many people today believe they’ll need at least $1.5 million saved to retire comfortably.3 But is that number right for you? The real “magic number” varies widely depending on your current savings, future goals, and lifestyle plans.

5 Major Retirement Regrets (That Are NOT Inevitable & How to Avoid Them)

by Stacy Brasher on Dec 3, 2024

Retirement

When are you going to retire?

How did you make that decision?

Many of us look at finances and health when we’re deciding when to retire.

Whether or not we realize it, we’re also considering our emotions and what we imagine for the future — we compare how we feel in our current circumstances to how we expect to feel in our anticipated retirement.1

With that, we tend to overestimate our future emotions, thinking we’ll be a lot happier as retirees.1

Why Sticking to a Long-Term Investment Strategy Pays Off in Market Downturns

by Stacy Brasher on Nov 19, 2024

Investments, Finance, Risk Management

Watching your portfolio take a hit can be unsettling, but staying focused on the long game is crucial. Even in uncertain times, a long-term strategy helps you navigate market ups and downs more effectively.

Here, we’ll explore why market corrections are normal, how understanding historical trends can offer reassurance, and why sticking with your strategy benefits your financial future.

5 Damaging Myths About Money Talks & the Facts Behind Them

by Stacy Brasher on Nov 2, 2024

Investments, Finance, Lifestyle, Savings, Family

What money topics are the most taboo to talk about?

Earnings, debt, inheritance, or net worth?

For most of us, many financial topics are simply off-limits.1

That means that many of us are not discussing money as much as we probably should be.1

Without those talks, myths about money and financial conversations can get a much stronger grip on our perspective and our financial decisions. That silence may end up stunting our financial literacy.1

How Tax Loss Harvesting Can Potentially Reduce Your Capital Gains Taxes

by Stacy Brasher on Oct 19, 2024

Investments, Tax Planning

If you’re like many investors, the thought of paying capital gains taxes on your successful investments might feel overwhelming. But what if there was a strategy to potentially reduce some of those taxes?

It’s called tax loss harvesting, and while the term might sound complicated, it's actually a fairly simple concept that could save you money.

Let’s break it down.

How to Reprogram & Improve Your Money Mindset

by Stacy Brasher on Oct 2, 2024

Finance, Investments, Savings

What’s the first thing you think of when it comes to money?

Are your thoughts more positive or negative?

Whatever’s natural to you can speak to your money mindset.1

And that money mindset can shape your financial views and habits. It can also reveal more about your values and beliefs, not just about finance but about life in general.1

With that, understanding your money mindset can start to highlight where it may be weaker — and what you may be able to do to improve it and leverage it better.

7 Milestones At Age 50 & Above

by Stacy Brasher on Sep 19, 2024

Retirement

Birthday celebrations at 50 and each year after can be meaningful opportunities to reflect and feel grateful for life’s journey. Some also mark important milestones in retirement planning and your financial life.

Here’s a look at why, with a focus on each milestone birthday after 50 and the role it can play in your overall financial wellness.

Age 50: Catch-Up Contributions

When you turn 50, you can start to make "catch-up" contributions to your 401(k)s, 403(b)s, IRAs, and other retirement accounts.

4 Pervasive Myths About Inflation

by Stacy Brasher on Sep 4, 2024

Investments, Finance

4 Pervasive Myths About Inflation

Inflation can feel inescapable these days.

For most of us, it also feels like inflation is higher and more persistent than it actually is.1

That could be because we’re seeing higher prices practically everywhere.1

Despite our experience, though, that misperception can actually harm us. It can also be bad for inflation in general.1

How to Beat Investing FOMO: The Power of Patient Wealth Building

by Stacy Brasher on Aug 20, 2024

Investments, Finance

Can you relate to any of the following?

  • “I should have bought that stock before the company went public!”
  • “What a shame — I wish I had invested in that new tech before it went mainstream!”
  • What’s the next “unicorn” that will make a fortune?”

It’s common to feel this way. Many of us experience “fear of missing out” — or FOMO — in our financial lives.1